From Barcelona, the high-speed train to Madrid takes around two and a half hours, with fares that can range from about €7 to €130 depending on the operator and how early you book. There are now four main choices on the route, so the cheapest ticket is not always the best fit.

The short version: choose AVE if you need flexibility or are travelling for work. Pick Avlo or Ouigo if you booked weeks ahead and your plans are fixed. Go for Iryo if you want a more comfortable middle ground without paying AVE prices.

Prices and frequencies were checked in May 2026 against operator booking sites. High-speed fares in Spain change often, so treat the figures below as ranges, not fixed prices.

All four services leave from Barcelona Sants and arrive in central Madrid, usually at Atocha or Chamartín depending on the train. The route is now shared by Renfe's AVE, Renfe's low-cost Avlo, SNCF's Ouigo and Iryo, which entered the market in 2022. The CNMC says Madrid to Barcelona is now the busiest liberalised high-speed corridor in Europe, which helps explain why fares stay competitive.

On a midweek test booking made three weeks ahead for a morning departure, the cheapest seat found was a €19 Ouigo lower-deck fare without seat selection. Avlo came in at €24, Iryo at €47 with breakfast included, and AVE Turista at €68, with a fully refundable upgrade at €92. That is the real choice on this route, price, flexibility and comfort.

AVE is the most flexible option, with up to 25 daily departures at peak times, business and first-class tickets, onboard meals on premium fares, and the widest change options. Renfe's own luggage rules set the allowance at three pieces totalling 25 kg. It is usually the right pick if you are booking late or need room to change plans.

Avlo is Renfe's low-cost brand, with around four daily trains on the Barcelona to Madrid route. It can be very cheap if you book early, with fares from about €7, but the trade-off is tighter rules on changes, no first class and a more basic onboard experience. For fixed plans and a low budget, it does the job.

Ouigo is another budget option, with around five daily departures and fares from about €9 when booked in advance. It is often the cheapest return for people who plan ahead, but change fees, bag rules and extras can push the final price up. Iryo, with around 10 daily trains, sits in the middle, usually costing more than Avlo or Ouigo but less than AVE, with better comfort and catering than the low-cost brands.